About the UW & Seattle

The University of Washington, founded in 1861, is one of the world’s most prestigious universities. The UW enrolls about 55,000 students each year and thrives as a center for groundbreaking research in a variety of fields, including medicine, education, public affairs, aeronautics and business. The university’s largest campus is located in the heart of Seattle, a scenic and livable city in the northwest corner of the United States.

A World-Class Educational Institution

The University of Washington is consistently rated among the top institutions of higher learning. The UW is 11th in the U.S. News & World Report 2017 ranking of best global universities, and it’s recognized by Reuters as one of the the most innovative public U.S. university by Reuters.

The UW offers many areas of study, including more than 300 separate programs and over 575 degree options. A major research center, the University attracts more money in federal research grants than any other public school in the United States. The outstanding faculty includes seven Nobel Prize winners and 15 MacArthur Fellows, also known as “genius grant” recipients.

Beyond the excellent academics, the University of Washington features one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world. Located just four miles north of downtown Seattle, the campus offers stunning views of snow-capped Mount Rainier and nearby Lake Washington. In the spring, the University's many gardens bloom with color and its Japanese cherry trees erupt in spectacular pink and white blossoms.

Seattle and the Pacific Northwest

Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, one of the most spectacular and diverse regions in the United States. With its clean air and water and plentiful mountains, lakes, rivers and forests, Seattle is a marvelous place to visit and to call home.

Seattle offers something for everyone, from the buzz of the city to the calm of the outdoors. Cultural attractions include world-class museums, an aquarium, a zoo, professional and college sports, a symphony and large annual film and music festivals. You will also find excellent running, biking, hiking, camping, boating and skiing both in the city and nearby.

For working professionals in the Seattle area, opportunities abound. Some of the world's top companies and institutions were started here and continue to have major operations in the region, including Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Costco, REI and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The city also has a strong startup business and technology culture. What's more, with its excellent hospitals, medical centers and research institutions, the city is a one of the most innovative health care communities in the country.

Seattle has a mild climate year-round, with very little snow in the winter and comfortable temperatures in summer. It does tend to rain a bit, of course, but the city's average annual rainfall is less than that of Boston, New York or Miami. And the rain we get keeps everything clean, green and growing!